ENGLAND are hoping they can once again lift themselves from the disappointment of a heavy defeat and remind Australia of their capabilities in the second npower Test.

For the past week England have been the butt of jokes in Australia following their 239-run defeat at Lord's while the criticism at home has also been sustained following their capitulation in the second innings.

But England believe they have developed a determined resolve over the last 18 months, bouncing back from a crushing loss to South Africa in Cape Town last January to win the series.

It is that mental strength which captain Michael Vaughan believes will come to the fore again at Edgbaston.

"We hope that it is the case," said Vaughan. "We have answered a lot of questions in the last year, whether we can bounce back, whether we can continue our winning run.

"We have answered them in a positive manner and this is a good test to see whether we can do the same again."

England's selectors have already gone some way towards giving a vote of confidence to the beaten Lord's line up and were expected to name an unchanged side.

"I think the way we've played over the last year or so, it warrants that," claimed Vaughan.

"We've lost one game of cricket and we've won a hell of a lot in the last year.

"The English team is in a good state of mind. People don't take their position for granted."

Vaughan has spent the last week working with coach Duncan Fletcher on his game, sessions which helped him score a Sunday century for Yorkshire against Kent and may help him improve on the seven runs he scored in his two innings at Lord's.

Vaughan added: "I've feel good, but I felt good going into Lord's and scored three and four, but I've worked hard with Duncan."